Ok since I see lot’s of confusion going on I’d like to put the problem of the HoT sale in it’s current state as clearly as possible, using facts
first of all I have noticed lot’s of people complaining about stuff that is not at all problematic, which diverts attention from the real problem – the inequality created between two groups of players when it comes to the purchase of the expansion. So I’d like to start with what the problem of the sale is NOT:
1) It is not the price – anet has the right to choose whatever price they want for their product
2) It is not the lack of a character slot included in the standard edition – anet can freely choose what to include in it, and what not to include
3) It is not new players receiving the “free bonus” however It is the conditions under which they receive it (I am all for giving new players the core game for free)
As you all know the purchase of the expansion comes with a “free bonus” which is exclusive to new players. The expansion will never be sold separately for a reduced price (confirmed by support in a mail to me). So here is the situation as it stands:
1) we have 2 user groups: new players and old players
2) both groups pay the same price
3) the products they get in return are not equal of value:
*new players get core game + expansion (“free bonus”)
*old players get expansion
4) if the old players wish to obtain the “free bonus” they are forced to give up their current progress in the game, and create a new account
Thus the group of the new players is receiving preferential treatment, which is simply put, unfair towards the old players who either have to sacrifice the “free bonus”, or their in-game progress, since they are not, and will not be able to buy the expansion separately for a reduced price.
The solution is simple:
A) Give the “free bonus” to everyone, a key for the core game goes to whoever upgrades their account
B) Provide something else to players who are not getting the “free bonus” in order to equalize the value of their purchase
The bottom line is this everyone should get the “free bonus” for it to be an actual free bonus
I will anticipate two counter arguments now, using quotes from my fellow forum users:
1) This is the same as a previous discounts, signing bonus, new member bonus, etc., etc.:
Your comparisons make no sense.
This isn’t some discount/bargain sale like the ones they did so far.
While the product bought was the same, since it was bought during different timeframes, it was perfectly reasonable to have discounts.
But now both veterans and new players are buying the exact same product – that is, Heart of Thorns – at the same time, from the same place, at the same price.
And both should receive the same thing – a copy of the base game, and the expansion.
By Manuhell.2759
2) You have already played the game for X time, and you should be grateful for everything you have:
Because me having the game earlier than said new players and having all the rewards they missed out on was not a random happening – it was a choice.
I chose to buy the game and they chose not to. I spent money on it and they did not.
So in a sense they could have had all these things if they at the same time as me had made the same choice. They chose differently and their choice leads to them not having these items and rewards.
The problem is that in the situation we have now I have no choice. See – they could have bought the game back then. But I have no choice when Anet decides to focus on them and ignore veteran players. It was decided for me.
By Harper.4173
(the quotes were cut to only show the relevant bits, I had trouble embedding actuals quotes in spoilers, so the names of the insightful users are added below)
I am of course free to any critique about my understanding of the situation, provided it is based on actual facts, and not personal feelings of devotion towards the devs
(also feel free to call me names and speculate as to how evil and jealous I am, I am not insulted easily, and it makes me feel like you have nothing to offer in the way of actual counter arguments)
Edit: He just about nailed every single concern I have and voiced them perfectly.